There is a significant relationship between the manner in which signs are displayed and public safety, and the value and economic stability of adjoining property. The reasonable display of signs is necessary as a public service and to the conduct of competitive business enterprise. The regulations in this chapter establish minimum standards for the display of signs in relationship to the use of property and to the intensity of development as permitted within the zoning districts which are provided in this Zoning Code.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

The provisions of this chapter are applicable to all signs now or hereafter constructed in the Village.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

(a)

No person shall erect, affix, repair, relocate, hang, maintain or otherwise display or alter a sign in the Village, except nameplates or identification signs, including street numbers, pertaining to single residential occupancies, without first obtaining a permit therefor from the Village.

(b)

Prior to obtaining such a permit, a person shall submit an application for the permit, along with a detailed drawing of the proposed sign, showing the manner of construction, total dimensions, proposed location and manner of placement.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

(a)

The following types of signs are permitted:

(1)

Ground signs;

(2)

Wall signs;

(3)

Pole signs;

(4)

Temporary signs;

(5)

Marquees;

(6)

Fixed canopies and awnings;

(7)

Retractable canopies and awnings; and

(8)

Window signs.

(b)

Nonpermitted signs include:

(1)

Advertising signs, except for temporary subdivision advertising signs;

(2)

Advertising signs as provided in Section 1272-06;

(3)

Flashing signs;

(4)

Moving signs;

(5)

Signs on fences or walls which are not a part of a building structure; and

(6)

Signs painted on building walls.

(c)

The following signs are specifically excluded from the provisions of this chapter:

(1)

Public information signs, such as, but not limited to, street signs, traffic signs and Village directional and entrance signs;

(2)

Any sign of the United States, the state or a municipal corporation;

(3)

A sign located completely within an enclosed building, except as otherwise regulated in this chapter.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

(a)

No portion of any sign shall project over a property line.

(b)

No sign shall be located on the roof of a structure.

(c)

No sign shall be painted on the wall of a structure or adhered to the wall of a structure with glue or mastic.

(d)

Where a sign is illuminated by light reflected upon it, direct rays of light or glare shall not beam upon any part of a residential building in existence at the time the sign is constructed, into a residential district or onto a street. No sign located in direct line of vision of a traffic signal shall have red, green or amber illumination.

(e)

Where permitted, an awning shall have a minimum clearance of eight (8) feet, measured perpendicular from grade level.

(f)

No sign shall be erected or maintained so as to prevent or impair free ingress to or egress from a door, window or fire escape. No sign of any kind shall be attached to a standpipe or fire escape.

(g)

In determining the square footage of the gross surface area of a sign, the following shall apply:

(1)

Wall signs. The gross surface area shall be determined based upon the outside perimeter of the sign.

(2)

Individual letters. The gross surface area shall be determined by the outside perimeter of a hypothetical box extending around the individual letter or fixture, being equal in length to both the height and width of such letter or fixture.

(3)

Ground sign. The gross surface area shall be determined in the manner set forth in paragraph (1) hereof, except that in the case of a multi-faced sign, all faces upon which a sign is affixed shall be included.

(4)

Pole sign. The gross surface area shall be determined in the manner set forth in paragraph (1) hereof, except that in the case of a multi-faced sign, all faces of such sign shall be included.

(h)

Where the maximum gross surface area of a permitted sign is specified as a ratio of building facade, the permitted sign area of an open sales lot shall equal one-half that specified times the width of the lot in feet, to a maximum of twenty-five (25) square feet.

(i)

If a structure is designed for occupancy by more than one (1) business use and is so used, the formula to be applied in determining the permitted gross surface area for each individual establishment shall be based on the formula set out for the district in which the building is located. The owner of the building shall then be responsible for establishing the amount of signage allowable for each tenant.

(j)

The following regulations apply only to wall signs:

(1)

No wall sign shall project more than twelve (12) inches from the wall surface upon which it is affixed.

(2)

A wall sign shall be limited in height to the height of the wall upon which it is affixed, or twenty (20) feet from grade level, whichever is lower.

(3)

A wall sign which projects more than six (6) inches from a building shall have its lowest portion not less than nine (9) feet above grade level.

(k)

The following regulations apply only to ground signs and/or pole signs, as indicated:

(1)

Only one (1) ground sign shall be permitted for each commercial or industrial building, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, and may not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet in area.

(2)

A ground sign or pole sign, except as authorized by the Board of Trustees as part of a planned development, shall be located in a front yard area only.

(3)

In addition to all other permitted signage, a shopping center under single ownership or control, containing five (5) or more units, may erect one (1) additional ground sign or pole sign. Such sign shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) square feet in area.

(4)

A ground sign or pole sign shall be subject to the following height limitations or as may otherwise be provided:

*(except as may otherwise be provided for herein)

(l)

A semitrailer or other vehicle on which there is painted, attached or otherwise placed advertising or directional information shall not be parked in the Village in a manner that could be construed that such vehicle is functioning as a sign in that:

(1)

It is parked in a public or private parking area adjacent to or on a public street.

(2)

Such vehicle remains parked in public view for more than four (4) consecutive hours during normal business hours.

(3)

Such vehicle is not used in the every day business of delivery, pick-up or service of the business displayed.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81; Ord.571. Passed 1-11-83; Ord.627. Passed 1-22-85.)

(a)

Residential Districts.

(1)

Nonilluminated nameplates or identification signs.

A.

One (1) sign for each dwelling unit, not to exceed one (1) square foot in area, identifying the name and address of the occupant is permitted.

B.

For a multiple-family dwelling or a group of multiple-family structures having a common driveway entrance from a public street, one (1) sign for each common entrance, not exceeding two (2) square feet in area, identifying the addresses of dwelling units is permitted.

C.

For a group of multiple -family dwellings, the following formula may also be used: one-half square foot per dwelling unit, to a maximum aggregate total of thirty (30) square feet. In such case, the sign shall indicate only the name of the building, the address thereof and the manager's name, address and telephone number.

(2)

Nondwelling unit identification signs.

A.

For a building or structure other than a dwelling unit, a single identification sign, not exceeding thirty (30) square feet in area, attached to and parallel with the building or structure, indicating only the name and address of the building thereon, is permitted, provided that for a building on a corner lot having public entrances on both streets, two (2) such signs, one (1) facing each street, are permitted. Such signs shall not project more than twelve (12) inches from the wall surface.

B.

Within all residential districts, signs stating "private property, " "beware of dog" or "keep off the grass" and window graphics giving notice of no solicitation, safety symbols and other similar public purposes, the total area of which sign or graphics does not exceed one (1) square foot, are permitted.

(3)

Religious institution bulletin boards. Not more than one (1) religious institution bulletin board per lot, not exceeding twenty (20) square feet in area, is permitted, provided that for a religious institution on a corner lot with public entrances from both streets, two (2) such signs, one (1) facing each street, are permitted. Such signs may contain the name of the religious institution, the name of the spiritual leader, the phone number thereof and announcements, including the time of religious services.

(4)

Setback requirements. A sign permitted in a residential district shall be set back not less than five (5) feet from the property line, except for a ground sign not over five (5) feet in height and one (1) square foot in area, which may be placed at the front curb on the mailbox stand.

(b)

Business Districts.

(1)

Surface area. The total permitted gross surface area of all signs for a single building shall not exceed two (2) times, in square feet, the total building frontage expressed in linear feet, up to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet for a building with one (1) frontage and four hundred (400) square feet for a building having two (2) or more frontages.

(2)

Prohibited signs. In a B1 Local Shopping District or a B2 Community Shopping District, pole signs are not permitted.

(3)

Temporary window graphics. Temporary window graphics for a period of time not in excess of thirty (30) days are permitted in all business districts and are not debited against the allowable sign area. Such graphics shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the area of the window in which they are displayed.

(4)

Temporary pennants or banners. Temporary pennants or banners are permitted in business districts, in accordance with the following provisions:

A.

The use of pennants and banners may be allowed in connection with grand openings of commercial establishments and in support of special sales or events or other matters of similar import.

B.

Authorization for the use of temporary pennants or banners shall be in writing signed by the Village Manager or his or her designee and shall state the number of days such use is to be permitted to a maximum of ten (10) days. No such authorization shall be given more than twice in a calendar year for a specific location.

C.

All such pennants and banners shall be removed at the expiration of such authorization.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

(c)

Industrial Districts.

(1)

Surface area. The total gross surface area of all signs for a single building shall not exceed one and one-half (1½) times in square feet the total building frontage expressed in linear feet, up to a maximum of four hundred (400) square feet, except as may otherwise be provided for herein.

(2)

Special Sign Considerations.

A.

Billboards. Billboards may be constructed and maintained, but only as a special use, and provided that:

1.

Such signs shall be restricted in their location to vacant lots and must be removed upon the subsequent construction or placement of a building on such lot.

2.

Such signs shall be limited to one (1) per lot.

3.

Such signs shall not be larger than five hundred (500) square feet in total area.

4.

Such signs shall be limited in height to a maximum of thirty (30) feet.

5.

Such signs shall be not closer than one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) feet to a residential zone, highway identification sign or another billboard.

6.

Such signs shall be set back at least one hundred (100) feet from any public right-of-way.

7.

Such signs shall be limited in their location to properties fronting on Interstate 57 only.

For the purpose of this section, a billboard shall constitute any sign which does not directly relate to the building occupant or product located on site.

B.

Highway identification signs. Highway identification signs may be constructed and maintained, but only as a special use, and provided that:

1.

Such signs shall be limited to one (1) per lot.

2.

Such signs shall not be larger than five hundred (500) square feet in total area.

3.

Such signs shall be limited in height to a maximum of thirty (30) feet.

4.

Such signs shall be not closer than one thousand three hundred twenty (1,320) feet to a residential zone, billboard or another highway identification sign.

5.

Such signs shall be set back at least one hundred (100) feet from any public right-of-way.

6.

Such signs shall be limited in their location to properties fronting on Interstate 57 only.

For the purpose of this section, a highway identification sign shall constitute either a ground sign or a pole sign which relates directly to the building occupant or product on site and which would not ordinarily be permitted by the regulations herein.
(Ord. 571. Passed 1-11-83.)

(d)

Office and Research Districts; Public, Private and Conservation Land Districts.

(1)

Surface area. The total permitted gross surface area of all signs for a single building shall not exceed one (1) times, in square feet, the total building frontage expressed in linear feet, up to a maximum of two hundred (200) square feet for a building with one (1) frontage and four hundred (400) square feet for a building having two (2) or more frontages.

(2)

Prohibited signs. Pole signs are not permitted.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

(a)

Nonilluminated Real Estate Signs.

(1)

One (1) "for sale" or "for rent" sign, not to exceed four (4) square feet in area, with an additional one (1) square foot for each acre, to a maximum of thirty-two (32) square feet, advertising exclusively the prospective sale or lease of the land or building upon which such sign is displayed, is permitted.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

(2)

Non-illuminated real estate "For Sale" and "For Rent" signs are permitted in areas of the Village zoned for residential use subject to the following restrictions:

a.

Only one (1) sign shall be displayed per zoning lot.

b.

No sign shall have a display surface area greater than six (6) square feet and no sign shall have display surface area dimensions greater than two (2) feet measured vertically and greater than three (3) feet measured horizontally.

c.

No sign shall be positioned closer than ten (10) feet to the side and rear lot lines nor closer to the front lot line than one-half the depth of the front yard.

d.

A sign may be placed in a window, rather than in the yard; provided that no sign shall be affixed to the outside of a structure.

e.

Signs shall be removed within forty-eight (48) hours after the closing of the real estate sale or rental transaction for which the sign is being displayed.

f.

"Open House" signs are permitted for a one (1) day period only, and must be removed by dusk of that day.

(Ord. 705. Passed 3-24-87; Ord. 1271. Passed 4-24-01.)

(b)

Political Signs.

(1)

A political sign may be placed only in residential or business districts.

No political sign displayed in a residential zoned area of the Village shall have a display surface area greater than six (6) square feet.

(2)

No political sign shall be placed on a utility pole, street light standard or road sign standard or in a public right-of-way.

(3)

No political sign shall be erected more than sixty (60) days prior to the election to which it pertains.

(4)

A political sign must be removed within five (5) days following the election to which it pertains.

(5)

The Village shall assume that the candidate whose name appears on the political sign shall be the individual responsible for such sign if not otherwise designated.

(6)

The persons in possession or control of the premises on which a political sign is being displayed as well as the candidate or political entity or organization featured on the sign shall be subject to a fine in the amount of $25.00 per sign per day for each sign and each day a political sign remains on display or remains littering the premises where it was displayed (or remains littering adjacent premises) beyond the time for removal set in subsection (4).

(c)

Temporary Subdivision Advertising Signs.

(1)

Temporary defined. As used in this section, "temporary" means an indefinite length of time which shall terminate upon sale of ninety (90) percent of all available parcels included in the platted subdivision or within two (2) years following approval of the final subdivision plat by the Board of Trustees, whichever date comes first. The date of termination may be extended by mutual agreement between the Village Manager and the owner or developer.

(2)

On-site allowance permits. One (1) sign may be located adjacent to each street of frontage, may be advertising as well as directional, may not have a surface area exceeding 100 square feet; and may be not higher than ten (10) feet, or longer than twenty (20) feet. Such sign shall require a sign permit and payment of a fee therefor.

(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81; Ord. 1271. Passed 4-24-01.)

(a)

Identification. Every sign hereafter erected shall have permanently attached, in a conspicuous place in legible letters, the date of erection, the name of the permittee and the voltage of any electrical apparatus used in connection therewith.

(b)

Wind Pressure and Dead Load Requirements. Every sign shall be designed and constructed to withstand a wind pressure of not less than thirty (30) pounds per square foot of net surface area, and shall be constructed to receive dead loads as required in the Building and Housing Code and other ordinances of the Village.

(c)

Fireproof Construction. Every sign located within four (4) feet of a building, or which is greater than eighteen (18) square feet in area, shall not be constructed at any location in the Village unless the face thereof is constructed of noncombustible material.

(d)

Smooth Face Required; Exceptions. No sign which is constructed within five (5) feet of a public right-of-way shall have nails, tacks, wires or other hazardous projections protruding therefrom, except electrical reflectors and devices which may extend over the top and in front of the sign.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

A sign which does not advertise a bona fide business conducted or a product sold upon the premises shall be taken down and removed by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the structure or land upon which such sign is found, within ten (10) days after written notification from the Village Manager or his or her designee. Upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Manager may cause removal of such sign, at the expense of the owner of the structure or land to which such sign is attached.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

If the Village Manager or his or her designee finds that a sign is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected, or is being maintained, in violation of this chapter, the Manager or designee shall give written notice of such finding to the owner of the sign. If the owner fails to remove or alter the sign, so as to bring it into compliance with the standards established in this Zoning Code, within ten (10) days after receipt of such notice, such sign may be removed by the Village at the expense of the owner. The Village may cause a sign which the Manager finds to be an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice at the expense of the owner of the sign or the owner of the premises upon which such sign is located.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

Nonconforming signs shall be removed, changed or altered to conform with this chapter according to the following amortization schedule:

A sign becomes nonconforming if it is not in conformance with this chapter on the effective date of this chapter (Ordinance 508, passed October 27, 1981). The amortization period shall begin to run on the date on which the sign becomes nonconforming.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)

No person shall display a sign in violation of this chapter. A person who owns or manages a building or premises, and any occupant thereof who displays a sign, shall comply with this chapter.
(Ord. 508. Passed 10-27-81.)